Jeffery Bast is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Jeffrey Bast from Bast Amron!

Jeff will be speaking at our upcoming Business Bankruptcy 101 Chapter 11 Nuts and Bolts Webinar on September 19 & 21, 2023.  Previously, Jeff spoke at our Business Bankruptcy 101: Chapter 11 Nuts and Bolts program in 2020 as well as at prior Circuit Court Boot Camps and Bankruptcy programs.

We are excited to have him back!

Jeff is a partner at Bast Amron, where he focuses his practice in corporate and bankruptcy law.

With 30 years of experience, Jeff is a seasoned expert in the insolvency and litigation arena. Jeff guides business clients through all types of insolvency-related issues including bankruptcy and bankruptcy avoidance, emphasizing corporate reorganization, workouts, and liquidation. Jeff has also been recognized by his peers and numerous publications for professional excellence including: Best Lawyers in America, Chambers and Partners, Martindale Hubbell, South Florida Legal Guide, and Florida Super Lawyers. 

Jeff is a frequent speaker and writer both in the U.S. and abroad on topics related to insolvency. He recently wrote an article about Subchapter V bankruptcy. If you’d like to learn more about Subchapter V. For more information on the topic,  Jaime Leggett, also at Bast Amron, will spend a good 90 minutes on this topic at our upcoming Business Bankruptcy 101 Chapter 11 Nuts and Bolts Webinar on September 19 & 21, 2023 (the same one at which Jeff is speaking again).

It promises to be an excellent seminar, and we are glad to have him join us!

Nicole Mariani Noel is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Nicole Mariani Noel from Kass Shuler!

Nicole will be speaking at our upcoming Business Bankruptcy 101 Chapter 11 Nuts and Bolts Webinar on September 19 & 21, 2023. Most recently, Nicole spoke at our Bankruptcy 101: Chapter 7 and 13 Nuts and Bolts program.

We are excited to have her back with us!

Nicole is a Shareholder at Kass Shuler, where she heads the Bankruptcy practice group for the firm and handles cases throughout the State of Florida, including the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts.

Since 2009, Nicole has honed her practice in various legal fields, including: bankruptcy, creditors’ rights and insolvency, real estate, consumer and business litigation. 

Outside of the firm, Nicole is an adjunct professor at Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg College and Hillsborough Community College teaching bankruptcy, real property finance, business law and civil litigation. She participated in the 2016 NextGeneration program held by the Bankruptcy Judges during the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges (NCBJ). Nicolel was honored to become a Fellow for the Florida Bar Leadership Academy. She has also been named one of ALFN’s Junior Professionals and Executives Group (JPEG)’s stand-out young professionals to watch in 2016. Nicole also frequently volunteers her time to speak at local Universities on topics which include ethical concerns facing young attorneys, time management, and first year law practice pointers.

Thank you for joining the program, Nicole!

Reno Fernandez is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Reno Fernandez from Complex Appellate Litigation Group (CALG)!

Reno will be speaking at our upcoming Business Bankruptcy 101 Chapter 11 Nuts and Bolts Webinar on September 19 & 21, 2023. This will be his first time speaking with us and we have had many attorneys from CALG speak over the years and everyone has been terrific.

Welcome, Reno!

Reno is a counsel at Complex Appellate Litigation Group where he focuses his practice on protecting the interests of creditors, debtors, trustees, and other parties in bankruptcy-related appellate matters. He is also a certified specialist in bankruptcy law by the California Board of Legal Specialization. 

Throughout his career, Reno has appeared in the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, and other courts sitting in an appellate capacity under the Bankruptcy Code. He also consults on general bankruptcy litigation in the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts.

Reno’s experience includes representing technology companies, equipment manufacturers, equipment lessors, banks, hedge funds, medical clinics, residential care facilities, shopping centers, apartment and office buildings, hotels, food and beverage, retail chains, farms, wineries, churches, and nonprofits. Reno has also overseen creditor recovery, receiverships, and assignments for the benefit of creditors.

Additionally, Reno was chair of the Insolvency Law Committee of the State Bar of California, a member of the organizing committee of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges’ Next Generation Program, a member of the board of directors of the Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum, and chair of the Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section of the Bar Association of San Francisco.

We are excited to have him join us!

Jack Reiter is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Jack Reiter from GrayRobinson!

Jack will be speaking at our upcoming Preserving the Trial Record for Appeal in Florida Civil Cases Webinar on August 1 & 3, 2023. Most recently, Jack spoke at our Advanced Appellate Practice (FL) Seminar. Attendee testimonials commended Jack on his informative presentation and excellent content.

Jack is a shareholder at GrayRobinson and leads the firm’s Appellate and Trial Support Team (nationally ranked Tier 1 by U.S. News- Best Lawyers in 2023). He is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Appellate Practice and former chair of Florida Bar Appellate Court Rules Committee and Appellate Practice Section. Jack focuses his practice on litigation and trial support matters in commercial and business disputes, insurance coverage issues, products liability and negligence, and toxic tort law. His experience includes preparing and arguing complex trial motions to dismiss and for summary judgment, as well as motions in limine and for directed verdict.

Outside of the firm, Jack is a member of the American Bar Association, the Tort and Insurance Practice Section and the Defense Research Institute. Jack has also served as chair of The Florida Bar Appellate Court Rules Committee, the Appellate Practice Section of The Florida Bar and the Dade County Bar Appellate Court Committee.

Thank you for joining the program, Jack!  We are so happy to have you back.

Alyssa Reiter is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Alyssa Reiter from Wicker Smith!

Alyssa will be speaking at our upcoming Preserving the Trial Record for Appeal in Florida Civil Cases Webinar on August 1 & 3, 2023. Alyssa has collaborated with Pincus before at our Illinois appellate programs. We are so excited to have her back with us!

Formerly of Illinois, Alyssa is now a partner at Wicker Smith’s Fort Lauderdale office and focuses her practice on handling appeals, litigation support, and insurance coverage matters. She has argued cases in the Florida Supreme Court, the Illinois Supreme Court, the 11th Circuit and the 7th Circuit, and numerous appellate courts throughout not only Florida and Illinois, but the entire United States.

Throughout her career, Alyssa has represented clients in a wide range of cases, including: products liability, professional malpractice, commercial litigation, insurance coverage and bad faith, vehicular accident, premises liability, and aviation.

Having served three terms on the Board of Directors for the Appellate Lawyers Association, Alyssa is a highly capable attorney. She was selected by her peers as a Leading Lawyer and a Super Lawyer in the field of civil appeals. Alyssa has also earned an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating awarded by that organization.

Thank you for joining the program, Alyssa!

 

Jamie Moses is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Jamie Moses from Holland & Knight!

Jamie will be speaking at our upcoming Preserving the Trial Record for Appeal in Florida Civil Cases Webinar on August 1 & 3, 2023. Most recently, she spoke at our Advanced Appellate Practice (FL) Program, where she was praised for the advice and perspective she brought to the table. Jamie also taught at our Florida 2021 Deposition Training program and received fantastic reviews.

It’s great to have you back with us, Jamie!  We love working with you and having you speak!

Jamie is a member of Holland & Knight’s Appellate Team. Her practice primarily focuses on state and federal appeals. She also has significant experience representing clients in real estate and broker litigation, professional malpractice litigation, along with insurance and bad faith litigation. She is board certified in Appellate Law by The Florida Bar. Prior to joining Holland & Knight, she was a partner at a large Orlando law firm, where she led the appellate practice group.

As the former president of the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers and the Florida Bar’s Young Lawyers Division, Jamie offers practical advice that only a seasoned attorney can provide. Jamie has also been recognized by “The Best Lawyers in America” guide in Appellate Law, 2021-22 as well as “Florida Super Lawyers” magazine, 2015-2023.

Thank you for joining the program, Jamie!

Kristen Fiore is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Kristen Fiore from Akerman!

Kristen will be speaking at our upcoming Preserving the Trial Record for Appeal in Florida Civil Cases Webinar on August 1 & 3, 2023. Most recently, she spoke at our Advanced Appellate Practice (FL) Program, where she was an attendee favorite.

It’s so good to have you back with us, Kristen!

Kristen is a partner at Akerman. She is a seasoned, board certified appellate attorney, who has handled hundreds of complex commercial appeals and orally argued dozens of those cases, including appeals in all five Florida District Courts of Appeal, the Florida Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second, Fifth, Seventh, Ninth, and Eleventh Circuits. Her extensive experience encompasses civil and administrative cases touching on a wide range of law, including: constitutional issues, discovery, class actions, damages, bankruptcy, malpractice, probate, American Indian, taxation, and family law. Significant areas of focus in her appellate work include financial, insurance, and labor & employment disputes.

Kristen currently serves on the Florida Appellate Court Rules Committee and is a frequent speaker on appellate topics, most recently presenting on the Jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court for the Appellate Practice Section’s Practice Before the Florida Supreme Court CLE Seminar.

Recognized by Florida Trend, Benchmark Litigation, and Super Lawyers, Kristen brings a wealth of knowledge to her appellate practice from having served as a staff attorney for judges on both the Florida Supreme Court (Justice Barbara Pariente) and Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal (Judge Fred Hazouri), where she participated in countless appeals — which provides her with invaluable insight in framing compelling arguments during both the trial and appellate stages of litigation.

Thank you for joining us again, Kristen!

Christopher Bellows is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Christopher Bellows from Holland & Knight!

Christopher will be speaking at our upcoming Preserving the Trial Record for Appeal in Florida Civil Cases Webinar on August 1 & 3, 2023. He most recently spoke at in 2022 at our Advanced Appellate Practice Seminar for Florida and attendees loved him!  We’re glad to have you with us again, Chris.

Christopher is a Partner at Holland & Knight. He is an appellate attorney who has handled complex civil appeals in the Supreme Court of Florida, all Florida District Courts of Appeal and the federal appellate courts.

Christopher has significant experience in complex commercial litigation, including areas of contract law, Uniform Commercial Code, business torts, foreclosures, receiverships, replevins, construction disputes, landlord-tenant litigation, product liability, personal injury, first amendment, employment discrimination, housing discrimination, environmental law, professional malpractice, antitrust, securities fraud and shareholder disputes.

Thank you for joining us once again, Christopher!

Hon. Gerald Cope, Jr. (Ret.) is our Latest Featured Speaker!

Our latest featured speaker is Hon. Gerald Cope, Jr. (Ret.) from Akerman!

Judge Cope will be speaking at our upcoming Preserving the Trial Record for Appeal in Florida Civil Cases Webinar on August 1 & 3, 2023. He has taught this class several times before to rave reviews! Judge Cope always provides a detailed outline and walks attorneys carefully through the topic.

It’s so good to have you back with us, Judge Cope!

As the former Chief Judge of Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal and member of the court for 22 years, Gerald Cope is the chair of Akerman’s Appellate Practice. He represents clients in appellate litigation at the state and federal levels. He was recognized by the Business Law Section of The Florida Bar for his contributions toward the 2013 enactment of the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act in Florida. As a member of the Court of Appeal, he participated in approximately 60 appeals involving arbitrability of disputes, interpretation of arbitration clauses, proceedings to enforce or vacate awards, and comparable proceedings involving appraisal clauses in insurance contracts.

Judge Cope is a founding member of Akerman Bench, an innovative practice including former appellate and trial court judges providing the perspective of both sides of the bench. He conducts practice oral arguments for attorneys appearing in state and federal appellate courts, serves as a consultant on appeals, and provides support to trial counsel.

Additionally, Judge Cope has served as an adjunct professor teaching federal and Florida arbitration at the University of Miami School of Law. He is a member of the Executive Council of the Florida Bar’s International Law Section and Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section. Judge Cope also serves as a special master.

Thank you for joining us, Judge Cope!

Alaina Fotiu-Wojtowicz is our Latest Featured Speaker!

alaina

Our latest featured speaker is Alaina Fotiu-Wojtowicz, Esq. of Brodsky Fotiu-Wojtowicz!

Alaina Fotiu-Wojtowicz will speak at our Circuit Court Boot Camp in Fort Lauderdale on June 1, 2018.

Ms. Fotiu-Wojtowicz is a founding shareholder of BFW, is an experienced trial lawyer, and has tried cases in federal and state court. She has won numerous multi-million dollar jury verdicts for her clients in both commercial and personal injury cases. She represents corporations, business entities, and individuals in a variety of complex commercial business disputes, and routinely represents individuals who have suffered life altering personal injuries.

Prior to founding the firm, she was a partner at the litigation boutique, Michael S. Olin, P.A., where she focused her practice on personal injury and complex commercial litigation. Ms. Fotiu-Wojtowicz began her career by serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge William P. Dimitrouleas in District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Ms. Fotiu-Wojtowicz serves on the Adjunct Faculty at the University of Miami School of Law where she teaches an upper level course on Florida Civil Procedure and a seminar on Voting Rights and Election Law.

Ms. Fotiu-Wojtowicz is active in the South Florida community. She currently serves on the board of directors of the South Florida Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, sits on the Leadership Counsel for POSSE Miami, chairs the board of directors for Seraphic Fire, and captains numerous tennis teams in leagues sanctioned by the USTA and WTT.